Open Adoption

Our Domestic Open Adoption Program focuses on open adoptions. This means that expectant parents or birth parent/s select the adoptive family for their baby and have the option to stay in contact with them throughout the child’s life.

What is Open Adoption?

Open adoption means that expectant or birth parents choose the adoptive family for their child and have the option to maintain contact after placement. This contact can take many forms, from sending photos and updates to phone calls, texts, or even on going in-person visits.

Unlike closed adoption, open adoption creates space for connection, transparency, and trust between families.

Benefits of Open Adoption

Open adoption offers lifelong emotional, psychological, and practical benefits for all parties involved:

For birth parents, it offers peace of mind and reassurance that their child is safe, loved, and thriving.
For children, it helps them understand their life story and identity, reducing feelings of confusion or abandonment.
For adoptive families, it provides access to important medical history, cultural background, and insight into inherited traits and talents.

Research consistently shows that domestic open adoption leads to healthier outcomes for children and more satisfying relationships between birth and adoptive families.

How Open is “Open”?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to openness in adoption. You can shape a contact plan that meets everyone's needs and comfort levels.

Types of contact may include:

Photos and updates
Texts or phone calls
Email updates
Scheduled in-person visits

Our team will help you define the degree of openness that feels right, whether it's ongoing communication or limited contact.

How Birth Parents Choose a Family

Birth parents play an active and empowered role in selecting their child’s adoptive family. Decisions are often based on:

Location and lifestyle
Personality and values
Ethnicity and cultural background
Hobbies, interests, or family structure
Size of the family
Religion or spiritual beliefs

Our staff walks with you every step of the way, offering guidance, profiles of waiting families, and support as you make your decision.

Legal Agreements in Open Adoption

In California, birth parents have the option to create a legally binding contact agreement, outlining how communication and contact will happen after adoption. This agreement can include specific plans for:

Frequency of contact
Methods of communication
Who is involved in visits or updates

Some families prefer to build trust through verbal agreements. We’ll help you understand the pros and cons of both options so you can make an informed decision.

Common Questions and Concerns

It’s completely normal to feel uncertain or even anxious about open adoption at first. Many adoptive and birth parents share that they had similar worries in the beginning.

We can connect you to:

Adoptive parents who once felt unsure about openness
Birth parents who chose open adoption and are glad they did
Adult adoptees who have experienced open adoption firsthand

You don’t have to navigate your emotions alone. We’re here to listen and offer real-life insight.

How We Support You

Whether you’re an expectant parent or a hopeful adoptive family, we’re here to support you with:

Guidance on choosing a family or creating your profile
Education on legal and emotional aspects of adoption
Referrals to local resources, support groups, lawyers and counselors
Access to research and readings on open adoption
Invitations to adoption-related workshops and conferences

Our compassionate, experienced team is committed to helping you make the decision that feels right—for today and for the future.

Ready to Learn More?

Open adoption is a journey of connection, courage, and care. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step, we’re here to walk beside you.

Anchor 1

“Birth mothers choose open adoptions because we want to see it through to the end, to be there for our children throughout their young lives to and to ensure that all of their questions are answered and that they never feel unwanted.”

- Bethany (Birth Mother)